The ladies from Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. were out in force on the awards night, pictured here with Division Director Richard Baker Jr. and Business Agent Isaac Fiesta Jr. (center). Mauna Loa received one of two awards for Outstanding Unit, 100 and Over Members. This is the second year in a row that they have won this award.

Jeanne Yoshizawa of Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. won the Hawaii Division Outstanding Unit Editor award. (L-r) Yoshizawa and Unit Bulletin Coordinator Wallace Ishibashi Jr. Not pictured: Frankie Pang of Unit 1518 - Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel won the David E. Thompson Award for Statewide Excellence, for the best bulletin in the state. Pang was working and unable to attend the Hawaii Division awards dinner. Hawaii Division’s Honorable Mention went to Anna Ater of Unit 1421 - Sack ’n Save Foods.

(Top) Everyone enjoyed live music provided by “ELLEO.” (Above) Pensioner Program Coordinator Elmer Goropse with the Pepeekeo Pension Club, which was recognized for being “Most Active” in 2005.

Betty Pacheco (l), one of over 100 Hawaii Naniloa Resort workers not rehired when the hotel was taken over by new owner Ken Fujiyama, talks with Local President Fred Galdones. “I’ve been with Naniloa for fifteen years,” she said. “It’s very hard to see it end like this.”

Kamaaina Motors ILWU members win first contract

(L-r) Unit Chairperson Aaron Rude, Christopher Raymond, Jared Yogi, Vice Chairperson Ronald Domenden, and Thomas Price. Not pictured are members Peter Abraham, Chase Augustine, Ralph Borling, Arnulfo Cafirma, Ruben Calamayan, Alken Kekaulua, Joseph Pihi, Colin Sakuma, and Jack Elbon.

HILO—Service technicians and service porters at Kamaaina Motors on the Big Island ratified their first contract by a 100 percent vote last December.

HILO—Service technicians and service porters at Kamaaina Motors on the Big Island ratified their first contract by a 100 percent vote last December.

The workers maintained their commitment to becoming union throughout a tough organizing drive and won their union election in July by an large majority.

Over the next five months, the Kamaaina Motors union negotiating committee—led by chief spokesperson Isaac Fiesta Jr.—spent long hours on weekdays, weekends, and even holidays meeting with employers. An agreement was finally reached in November that provided improvements to the benefits and working conditions of Kaamaina ILWU members.

The new contract will be in effect for five years, with 16.5% in wage increases over the duration of the agreement. The workers will also have one extra day of vacation, but more important, they now have a binding document that protects their job security with a grievance procedure.

Congratulations to this tightly knit group of workers who used union solidarity to achieve their goals. ◆